The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 293: His Order

Jessamyn couldn’t shake the exhilarating sensation of being revered as they made their way back from the hidden valley. The respect she felt from those people—giants, warriors, and half-giants alike—was unlike anything she had experienced before.

It wasn’t the superficial courtesies of court or the obligatory bows from servants; it was a deep, genuine reverence. And Jerrick had given her that, showing her a side of himself and his world she never knew existed.

She felt the warmth of his presence, a silent assurance that she was cherished and powerful in her own right, not just as his wife, but as a woman who now commanded respect in a place where strength reigned supreme.

"William said the seer is lingering and waiting for you in the forest," Jerrick’s voice broke through her thoughts.

Jessamyn frowned, her hand instinctively resting on her growing belly. "She won’t come near while we’re together," she replied softly, her voice tinged with melancholy. "But she’ll find me after our son is born. Unfortunately, she’ll die soon after that."

That was the curse Jessamyn had received—a cruel twist of fate. The seer, who had guided and tormented her through countless lifetimes, would finally meet her end after their child was born. And yet, the knowledge that the seer’s death would mark the culmination of her millennia of suffering brought no comfort. All those years, all that pain, and for what? To accomplish nothing.

"I’ve enchanted the Songbird Sanctuary with higher-level protection spells. If, by chance, Roche is in danger, go there," Jerrick said, his tone serious. "No one will find you."

Jessamyn’s eyes softened as she realized how much he had been worrying. He was preparing for his departure to war, but his concern wasn’t just for the battle ahead—it was for her, for their child, and for the home they had built together. She could see the weight of it in his eyes, the subtle tension in his shoulders.

"Why don’t you take me with you?" she asked, the idea forming impulsively in her mind. She knew it wasn’t typical for women to accompany men to war, but she also knew Jerrick wasn’t one to cling to old superstitions about bad luck.

He gave her a look that was both tender and resolute. "As the Archduchess, you’re needed in Roche during wartime. It’s protocol."

Jessamyn sighed, nodding in reluctant agreement. "That makes sense."

She couldn’t just abandon Roche, not when the safety of their people was at stake. But the thought of being left behind gnawed at her. "But I don’t know enough about security measures or what to do if enemies attack. I’m not prepared for this, Jerrick. All those lives—what if I fail?"

Her voice rose with anxiety as her fears spilled out. She had read the books Jerrick had given her, had listened to his instructions, but in that moment, all the knowledge felt distant, like something she couldn’t grasp when she needed it most. The thought of being responsible for so many people, of potentially failing them, made her chest tighten with panic.

Jerrick rolled his eyes, though there was no real irritation in his expression—just a resigned affection. "You’re not alone, Jessamyn. Bernard will be here. William’s close. You have support."

"Wait," she said, frowning as she pieced his words together. "You tell me I can’t abandon Roche, but you also tell me to hide in the sanctuary if it’s dangerous. Which is it? What am I supposed to do?"

Jerrick’s eyes darkened with a serious glint. "You’ll know when the time comes."

His cryptic response did little to ease her nerves, and she found herself wetting her lips as another unsettling thought crossed her mind. "Do you think the King’s orders are part of some plot? Did he send you away knowing Roche might be attacked?" Her voice was laced with suspicion.

Jerrick’s gaze softened slightly. "If that were the case, I wouldn’t be telling you to hide, would I?"

"Ah, right..." Jessamyn let out a breath, realizing he was right. If there was a genuine threat to Roche, Jerrick would have fortified their defenses and made sure she was prepared to stand and fight. He wouldn’t be calmly sending her to safety unless he was certain the situation wouldn’t reach that point.

Still, the unease lingered. She knew there were around ten thousand reserve soldiers stationed around Roche, and if they combined William’s and Bernard’s forces, their defenses were strong. Plus, Roche was far from the Altanian border, tucked deep within Ayberia. It didn’t make strategic sense for the Altanians to attack there first—unless they were motivated by revenge.

"How long will it take for you?" she asked, her voice softening with concern.

She had no doubt Jerrick would succeed. He could shatter a giant’s axe with his hand—what were the Altanians compared to that? But the thought of him being away, even for a short time, made her uneasy.

"We’re bringing the King’s men to the valley, and they’ll station there once we secure the land. That terrain always favored the Altanians, and they have close to a hundred thousand troops there. Last time, it took us three days..." Jerrick’s voice trailed off, his expression clouded with a mixture of determination and nostalgia. "But then we had Hector."

Jessamyn bit her lip, feeling a pang of curiosity. "Was Joar that great a warrior?" She had seen Jerrick’s strength firsthand, so for him to praise Joar meant the man must have been extraordinary. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"He was more than a warrior—he was the greatest ally I could ask for," Jerrick replied, his tone tinged with respect.

Jessamyn stepped closer to him and took his hand, her heart warming at the way he spoke of Joar. There was no bitterness in his voice, no resentment despite the history they shared. She was glad that Jerrick could honor Joar’s memory without any lingering pettiness, even though Joar was her first husband.

"How long will it take?" she asked again, her concern now mingled with hope.

"Not more than a week," Jerrick assured her.

"That’s good," she sighed, relief washing over her. She glanced around, noticing that the leaves had begun to turn shades of amber and crimson as autumn approached. The season of change was upon them, and it mirrored the shifts in her own life.

"Should I visit Cordelia?" she asked tentatively.

Jerrick’s mood soured instantly, his expression darkening with displeasure at the mere mention of Cordelia. The change in his demeanor was palpable, and Jessamyn knew immediately that she had overstepped. The tension between them grew thick, like a storm brewing on the horizon. Jessamyn could feel the weight of his gaze, the intensity in his eyes as he stared at her, clearly unsettled by her suggestion.

She had expected this reaction, of course. Jerrick had made it clear in the past that he didn’t want her anywhere near Cordelia, especially not after the prophecy she had revealed. The prophecy had shaken him to his core, and for good reason—it was about Elodia. It had foretold of devastation and loss, a winter siege by the Altanians that had come out of nowhere. The vision had been so vivid, so real, that it had haunted Jessamyn’s dreams ever since.

But she had to try to explain, to make him understand why she needed to go. "That happened in the winter," Jessamyn began, her voice soft but steady. "It was clearly snowing. The Altanian siege was unexpected."

Jerrick’s jaw clenched, his expression hardening even further. "You are not leaving Roche for any reason," he said, his voice cold and final.

It wasn’t a suggestion or even a request; it was an order, one that brooked no argument. Jessamyn nodded, her eyes wide as she took in the hard set of his jaw, the way his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

She knew he was doing it out of concern, out of love, but it didn’t stop the knot of frustration from forming in her chest. He wasn’t wrong to worry—she had told him about the vision of the Altanian siege.

But that was a future that could still be avoided, wasn’t it? She wasn’t sure anymore, and that uncertainty gnawed at her.